Ancient Rites

Band: Ancient Rites

Formed In: 1988
Genre: Black Metal, Viking/Folk Black Metal
Country of Origin: Belgium

Ancient Rites are, at their core, a Black Metal band, but they craft into their music Symphonics and Viking and Folk Metal riffs and melodies. Combined with a worship of ancient Europe and lead vocalist Gunther Theys wide knowledge of history and mythology, you end up with some excellent music.



Album: Rvbicon
Year: 2006

Track Listing:

1. Crusade
2. Templar
3. Mithras
4. Thermopylae
5. Rubicon
6. Invictus
7. Ypres
8. Galilean
9. Cheruscan
10. Brabantia

Rvbicon bears many similarities to Dim Carcos--it's Black Metal mixed with Symphonics and Viking/Folk Metal and has a romantic ancient theme--but it is also completely different. The focus of the album is on Rome, Greece and the Middle-East, with the Folk melodies echoing that theme, particularly in the opening riff of the fantastic "Templar." The songs are also more mid-paced, and Gunther delivers his vocals differently as well. He takes a more sinister approach to his harsh vocals and his clean vocals aren't as bellowed and high, creating a different though equally magical atmosphere. Rvbicon is another brilliant album, doing justice to the name of Ancient Rites.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X6S1AA0J

Album: Dim Carcosa
Year: 2001

Track Listing:

1. The Return
2. Exile (Les Litanies De Satan)
3. Victory Or Valhalla (Last Man Standing)
4. ...And The Horns Called For War
5. North Sea
6. Gotterdämmerung (Twilight Of The Gods)
7. (Ode To Ancient) Europa
8. Remembrance
9. Lindisfarne (Anno 793)
10. On Golden Field (De Leeuwen Dansen)
11. Dim Carcosa

Dim Carcosa is one of the most passionate Black Metal albums I've ever heard. It's incredibly personal to Gunther, displaying his love of literature with songs like "Exile (Les Litanies De Satan," dedicated to Charles Baudelaire, and "Gotterdämmerung (Twilight Of The Gods)," inspired by the German philosopher Nietzsche, his love of his European heritage with "(Ode To Ancient) Europa" and his love of History, Mythology and the mysterious with really every other track on the album. "Remebrance" is the best instrumental interlude ever to grace a Metal album, it is a truly beautiful piano piece. The way the Black Metal is mixed with Viking and Folk riffs, as well as Symphonics at points and the perfection of its unique and varied song structures and composures makes it unique and ever interesting. Gunther is also an incredible clean vocalist, and his singing marks one of the greatest highlights of the album. I dare say this is a necessity for Black Metal fans.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XE87AG6Z

Note: If you enjoy the albums, make sure to go to Ancient Rites' website and read the linear notes for Dim Carcosa and Rvbicon. From the side bar on the left, go to Textuals and you'll find links to the lyrics/linear notes for both albums. It gives one a deeper understanding of the meaning and history behind Gunther and each and every song.